Sheriff vs. Agent
Chapter 31 Election II & Thansgiving
"There are some folks here today who have volunteered to speak on behalf of sheriff Deeks. We will hear from them while he takes a little break. Then we will open the floor for questions." Kensi announces.
"Captain Roger Bates," she motions for him to take the stage.
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ROGER BATES, UC MANAGER LAPD
"Deeks, as we called him, is a very unique individual."
Marty hangs is head and shakes it. The audience chuckles.
"Despite his troubled childhood, that he has told us about, he graduated from Pepperdine undergrad 5th in his class; Pepperdine Law 1st in his class; he worked 2 years as a public defender; then to get closer to the action he enrolled in the LAPD police academy; he finished 1st in that class. He was the fastest to achieve detective in LAPD history. Yet, most LAPD cops hated him!"
There was audible murmuring. Kensi again held up her hands for quiet.
"Why, you may ask? Because Marty is one of the most honest cops I've ever known. When he saw a dirty cop, he didn't tolerate it. He did something! And a lot of cops didn't like that; they would rather just turn their backs, ignoring the problem.
"He immediately showed a talent for undercover work, and worked in my division over 5 years until a little woman stole him!"
"Cheeky bastard, I stole nobody!" Hetty loudly proclaimed.
The audience guffawed.
Bates made a sweeping gesture, welcoming Hetty to the podium. She took the stage and began to speak.
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HENRIETTA LANGE – NCIS-OSP LOS ANGELES
"Believe Mr. Bates in everything, except the stealing bit!"
"I had my eye on detective Deeks for over 3 years because of his performance with LAPD. Finally, our paths crossed when his UC assignment intersected with a case of ours. After a successful conclusion, I offered him the position of liaison between my team and the LAPD. He accepted of his own free will." She glares at Bates.
The audience chuckles.
"Marty completed my A-team in a way only I thought possible. He and Miss Blye (she motioned to Kensi) became outstanding partners, and made our A-team elite. He continued to be the paragon of integrity that captain Bates described. Then, after a personal tragedy, he left us and ended up here in Middlebury. I can tell you this: you folks are damn lucky to have him as your sheriff. Do not throw him away!"
She whispers into the mic, "If you do throw him away, I'll take him back!"
The audience chuckles again.
Hetty motions to Leon as she walks to her seat.
Leon Vance takes the podium.
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LEON VANCE – NCIS DIRECTOR
"When Hetty called to ask my permission to bring on an LAPD detective as a liaison, I thought she was crazy!"
Outright laughter.
"Well, she can be very persuasive. And she knows where the bodies are buried!"
"You know it," Hetty loudly proclaimed.
"It didn't take long for me to see what she saw. In Marty Deeks she had found a gem. I would totally support her efforts to take him back, if he ever becomes available to us. I'm not going to belabor the point; you've heard a lot. I will merely say this: if you don't reelect sheriff Marty Deeks – you are nuts!"
Leon sat down.
WOW!
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As Kensi was getting up to open the floor to questions, Marty motioned to her; he wanted a word. She motioned for him to use the mic on the table in front of him.
"I just want to publicly thank the 3 previous speakers for coming. I am humbled. They are 3 of the persons I respect most, who have touched my career, and my life. Thank you!"
He bowed hi head, and gave Kensi the floor.
She moderated a short Q&A session. The questions were respectful, but to the point.
SHERIFF MARTY DEEKS WON 97% OF THE VOTE!
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THANKSGIVING
Claudia and James Roberts invited their Middlebury family to join them for the holiday; at their Lake James 6-bedroom home. Everyone accepted. That meant a very full house. The 3 Roberts boys even brought sleeping bags, prepared to sleep in front of one of two fireplaces. On an air mattress of course, hardship indeed!
In attendance were:
Claudia & James Roberts,
Clayton, Jackson & William Roberts,
Marty, Claire & Julie Ann Deeks,
Maggie Arnholt,
Roger & Kensi Lonnstrom,
Katie Lonnstrom.
I guess 6 bedrooms covers it.
Clay and Will still slept in front of a fireplace; Katie joined them 1 night!
The weather was mild, but not water-skiing weather. Marty did have his Ski Nautique out and available. He and Roger took turns taking groups of bundled up 'tourists' for sight-seeing cruises around the lake. Evening cruises were especially popular as many of the home owners already had Christmas lights up on their lake-front property. I was beautiful; and the ladies always made sure that each cruise had a supply of hot chocolate. Sometimes spiked.
Thanksgiving dinner was a co-op affair. Each family had contributed something to the food and the preparation. And of course there was the traditional sharing of thanks:
Claudia: As I look around this table, I am amazed. A year ago, it was just the 5 of us. Now we have 2 additional families, my heart overflows! I love you all dearly! Thank you all for sharing this meal, and this day with us!
Claire: Even with my loss, which at times seems almost trivial, what I have gained in the past year is huge! A loving, supportive husband; a beautiful daughter; a God-mother for Julie Ann and her family; a BFF Kensi and her new family. I'm not sure my heart can contain it! Thank you all for loving and supporting me!
Kensi: My wedding vows said it all. Now here I see all of you, and my heart too overflows. I know that's cliché – but it is so true! Thank you all for including Roger, Katie and me in your LOVE!
Clayton: I just want to thank 'uncles' Marty and Roger for taking the time to help my brothers and me learn to water ski. That may seem like a small thing, but to us it is big! Thanks guys!
The 3 brothers made the rounds, giving their 'uncles' a warm embrace. If you looked, you might see tears threatening to fall from James and Claudia's eyes. Their sons had found two more men to look up to!
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TBC